Gilbert Cox
Feb. 13, 1918-Jan. 30, 1919
Niles Daily Sun, Friday, January 31, 1919, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
CHILD DIES FROM POISON
Infant Son of Edward C. Cox Ate Colored Crayons--Other Children Very Ill.
Gilbert Cox, born Feb. 13, 1918, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.Claude Cox of Vernon Heights, died about 5 o'clock last evening as the result of poisoning from eating colored crayons. His sister, aged 4 years, is also ill and for a time her life was despaired of, but today she is improved. A cousin of the children, little daughter of Charles Johnson, 702 Maple street, who visited them Sunday, also became very ill from the same cause.
The Cox baby ate a piece of brown crayon on Tuesday and became ill Tuesday night, but was better on Wednesday. On Thursday he suddenly was stricken with violent spasms and died within a few hours. The mother of the child saw him with a crayon in his mouth and took it from him, but not before he had eaten part of it.
An investigation will be made as to kind of poisoning in the crayon.
Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Johnson of Buchanan, grandparents of the children, stopped at the Cox homes yesterday afternoon while en route to southern Indiana on a visit, and finding the children so ill, they remained here.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon with burial in Silver Brook cemetery.
(DOB/DOD from Michigan Death Record; cause of death poisoning by "cold tar product")
Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 31, 1919, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The six months old son of Edward C. Cox died yesterday at 5 o'clock after a short illness. The funeral will take place tomorrow at 2 o'clock from the residence, and interment will occur in Silver Brook cemetery.